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Evolution Studios Announces MotorStorm Apocalypse

The world is falling apart around you. Sounds like the perfect time for an off-road race.

Evolution Studios is taking its off-road racer to the big city, but that doesn't mean MotorStorm Apocalypse is all about navigating traffic jams. A massive earthquake is wreaking havoc on the West Coast, urban centers are evacuated, and as the skyscrapers fall, the 'Stormers are there for some brutal, urban, off-road racing.

Evolution's Game Director Mike Southern made the announcement on the official PlayStation Blog this afternoon, making it clear the new MotorStorm game isn't post-apocalyptic, it takes place smack dab in the middle of the apocalypse.

"Pretty soon, two things become clear: [the city] isn't completely empty and Mother Nature isn't done yet," Southern stated. "Throughout the game the city will be ripped to pieces, in real-time, as you race. Routes will be affected, as will our emergent gameplay."

The MotorStorm team has listened closely to fan feedback, Southern said, and as a result Evolution developed a "more satisfying overall game experience." Gamers will have the chance to go on a lengthy single-player journey and take part in a completely overhauled Wreackreation Mode that's heavily influenced by today's best online shooters, RPGs, and platformers.

As a result, MotorStorm Apocalypse features:

-- Sixteen player online multiplayer
-- Four player split-screen
-- Combinations of the two. Play with three friends in the living room against 12 more online
-- Massive vehicle customization. Change vinyls, vehicle parts, vehicle shapes and more. Upload them to the community site and share them with others. They automatically work on all vehicle types, and include your PSN ID
-- Vehicle perks. Modify your handling, boosting and offensive abilities as you unlock new perks
-- A wealth of rankings to progess through online with associated rewards and recognition
-- Stacks of online rewards to earn and persistent progress giving the most determined and successful racers the status and recognition they deserve
-- Persistent matchmaking. Keep your party together throughout your gaming session
-- A Game Mode Creator. From a completely blank canvas you can design your own game rules and victory conditions, play them online, and incorporate them into tournaments

MotorStorm Apocalypse is being developed exclusively for the PlayStation 3. No release date has been announced.

Sharkey says: Reading the description, the first thing that popped into my head was the movie 2012 and the limo race through a collapsing LA. Lousy movie, fun, over-the-top scene. The second thing I thought of was recently released destructible environment racer Split/Second. But it sounds like Evolution has taken that basic mechanic, added a box of nails, and run it through the blender. The Game Mode Creator, in particular, should lend itself to countless new options. Looking forward to creating and sharing. And also crushing.